miR-491-5p targeting both TP53 and Bcl-xL induces cell apoptosis in SW1990 pancreatic cancer cells through mitochondria mediated pathway; miR-491-5p-induced apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma depends on the direct inhibition of both BCL-xL and EGFR, leading to BIM activation. The gene discussed is BCL2L11; the disease is ovarian carcinoma.